Fishing Forecast - Lake Jackson
Overview
Lake Jackson is a 4,750-acre impoundment owned and operated by the Georgia Power Company. The Alcovy, South and Yellow Rivers meet near Jackson, Ga. to form this heavily developed lake that is very popular with boaters and skiers during the summer months.
Contact Information: Georgia Power: 404-954-4040; DNR Office: 478-825-6151
Best Bets: Crappie, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Bream, and Striped Bass
Lake Jackson - Largemouth Bass
Prospect: Largemouth bass are doing well in Lake Jackson. They have continued to compete well against the initial surge of spotted bass where they currently comprise over 50 percent of the black bass population. Average catches weighing 1-2 pounds, with several over 5 pounds are common. Despite being a small reservoir, Jackson can be tricky when targeting largemouth bass. Switching techniques and baits may be needed to lure that Jackson lunker! Anglers targeting larger bass typically are most successful February-May and October-December.
Technique: Crankbaits and jigs fished in or around deep water produce larger bass. Plastics fished on a Carolina rig are often successful.
Target: Look for rock points that fall off into deep water and docks and timber that border drop offs. Target flooded timber in the upper reaches of in the fall. Also try the arm - this section offers a variety of habitat for anglers seeking large bass. During summer, concentrate efforts in the early morning and at night. Largemouth will typically be found in shallower, more turbid waters than spotted bass.
Lake Jackson - Spotted Bass
Prospect: Spotted bass abundance appears to have stabilized in recent years. Average size for spots caught in 2024 will be around 12 inches. However, anglers should expect a portion of the catch to be over 14 inches. There are some trophy spots (> 20") out there. Don't be surprised if spots greater than 4 lbs. are caught this year. Unlike largemouth bass, there is no size restriction and anglers are encouraged to harvest their catches.
Technique: Spotted bass generally are found in deeper, clearer waters than largemouth. Casting smaller crankbaits and jigs and finesse type lures like a shakey-head or drop shot into deeper water tends to attract spots. Because they are very aggressive predators, top-water lures such as spooks, buzz-baits and propeller lures fished fast can also often trigger bites.
Target: Stick to the main lake where the water is clearer. Target deeper points and fish parallel to the bank at varying depths to locate fish. Night fishing along docks and humps also produces good catches.
Lake Jackson - Striped Bass
Prospect: Striped bass offer anglers an added sportfish option on Lake Jackson. The most recent stockings have the potential for a quality fishery in coming years. The average-size striped bass caught in 2025 will be around 4-5 lb. Trophy striped bass are available. Anglers catching striped bass exceeding 18 pounds have been reported.
Technique: Trolling with crankbaits and large swim-baits through schools of suspended shad can produce some nice stripers most of the year. When the stripers are chasing shad to the surface, topwater lures can trigger some extreme action. Live, large, gizzard shad is a very effective bait all year.
Target: Look for schools of shad and stripers breaking the surface early in the morning and just before dark. The north of where the Alcovy meets the South and Yellow Rivers are popular spots for seeking surface feeding stripers early in the morning. also offers good striper habitat, especially in the warmer months. Anglers should also target areas in the Tussahaw arm. Target cooler water habitat for trolling.
Lake Jackson - Catfish
Blue Catfish
Prospect: Lake Jackson provides an array of catfish species with fishable populations including bullheads, channel, white, blue and flathead catfish. Jackson holds a greater proportion of large sized channel and blue cats than most other central Georgia reservoirs and most will average 3-5 pounds. If anglers are patient, some trophy channel catfish exceeding 20 pounds are available. Anglers should target deep holes mid-lake for trophy catfish. Highway 36 bridge on the South River Arm has been a popular area when targeting large catfish. Most trophies caught have been at night. Lake Jackson is an untapped resource for anglers targeting catfish. The current lake record flathead exceeds 50 pounds! The 2024 summer was very productive for anglers targeting catfish. Look for similar trends in summer 2025.
Technique: Cut shad and liver fished on or just off the bottom is effective. Night fishing with live bream may also produce some quality catfish.
Target: Target the deep waters or deep holes on the outside bend of the old creek channels. Flathead catfish will typically be found near rocky structures or hard bottoms. and the are current hot spots on the lake. Popular areas include the South River Arm near the . Most large fish caught have been by anglers fishing at night.
Lake Jackson - Bream
Redear Sunfish
Prospect: One of middle Georgia's better bream lakes. Bluegill and redbreast sunfish typically reach 5-7 inches, while redear sunfish are numerous and much larger. Sampling data from 2024 suggest that anglers can expect high catches of redear in spring 2025. Anglers should find bream fishing comparable with previous years with redear sunfish being the dominant catch. Anglers will find the average size redear sunfish near 8 inches.
Technique: Live bait such as redworms, mealworms or crickets fished just off the bottom should result in redear catches from 7 to 10 inches; individuals weighing 1 pound or more are common.
Target: Target blow downs and weed lines for larger bream. The below Jackson dam is a good place to target redbreast sunfish. Fish shallow sandy areas early in the spring and late in the fall.
Lake Jackson - Crappie
Prospect: Similar to previous years, crappie will be abundant in 2025. Average size fish caught in 2025 should be 7 inches in size. However, if anglers are patient and target deeper areas, crappie in the 1-1.5 pound range are available. Flooded timber in the provide excellent habitat of anglers seeking crappie.
Technique: Trolling small jigs around drop-offs, points and creek channels is most effective. Live minnows, small crankbaits and pitching jigs all work great in late spring. Flipping docks in early spring has also proven to be successful technique for anglers targeting this tasty fish.
Target: A hot spot: the bridge crossing at . Visit in early spring when water temperatures reach 60 degrees (F). Anglers should also target deep water . Crappie caught in this area have been reported to weigh up to 2 lb. Another popular spot for crappie is the area where the crosses the lake. This part of the lake provides excellent habitat for this tasty fish!
